Last-Minute
AP-Lit Test Tips
Write on the test
 Make VERY sure you understand what is called for in
the question. Reread it several times and underline
key words of instruction. Pay special attention to
warnings, such as “Avoid plot summary.” HEED
THESE DIRECTIONS.
 As you read poems and prose, read actively.
Circle/underline the figures of speech and key diction!
Visualize! Paraphrase as you read!
 Plan your essays by writing a quick outline: Thesis,
examples, organization.
2 Novels
 Store in your mind all key details of at least two 20th-
century novels of literary merit with which you are highly
familiar.
 Review your Major Works Summaries: Make sure you
know the titles, author, opening/closing paragraphs,
characters, conflicts + resolution, themes, symbols,
prominent stylistic devices, etc
 Suggestions: Brave New World, Their Eyes Were Watching
God, Going After Cacciato, Pride & Prejudice, 1984. Also, you
may reflect back to lit from 10th or 11th grade (such as
Slaughterhouse Five, The Things They Carried, TKAM ,
OMAM, Night, etc.)
2 Plays
 Store in your mind at least two modern dramas of
literary merit with which you are highly familiar.
 Review your Major Works Summaries: Make sure you
know the titles, author, opening/closing scenes,
settings, characters, rising and falling action,
conflicts + resolutions, themes, prominent stylistic
devices, etc.
 Suggestions: Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing, and
plays from 11th and 10th grade, including 12 Angry
Men, The Brute, Julius Caesar, etc.
Nonfiction/Prose
 Review the “Analyzing Prose” pages I gave you to
study. Be confident of your reading comprehension
skills.
 Read these selections carefully, always look for the
main ideas, central images, allusions, point of view,
and tone (especially be on the lookout for irony).
 Do a quick mental DIDLS.
 Underline lines that reveal these elements.
Poetry
 Make sure you are comfortable with poetry terms (forms,
figures of speech, sound devices, meter, etc.)
 Include line numbers when you use them as references in
your essay.
 Read the poem 3 times before you even think about writing:

1. Once to get the feel of it (read it in SENTENCES)

2. Read a second time, paraphrasing as you go

3. Look for figures of speech, diction, imagery, repetition,
etc. and figure out how it influences THEME.

MARK UP THE POEM! Do a quick MENTAL TPCASTT.
Multiple Choice Section
 45% of your score. Usually 55 questions (1 hour)
 No penalty for guessing
 Expect 4 passages with 13-15 questions each (2 poems + 2 prose
passages)
 Allow yourself 15 minutes per passage (adjust as necessary)
 Read the questions CAREFULLY. Eliminate answer choices
intelligently (cross them out so you don’t look at them again)
 WRITE on the TEST! Read actively! Visualize! Paraphrase!
Essay Section
 55% of your score. 3 essays (2 hours)
 Allow 35-40 minutes for each essay. Answer all 3 prompts! They
are each worth the same points.
 Address ALL PARTS of the PROMPT. Don’t forget the “So
What” or you will not score higher than a 5.
 Plan your essay; know what your thesis is (and that it answers the
entire prompt), what examples you will use, and your
organizational scheme
 Save 2-3 minutes to proofread. Do not make major edits …this is a
DRAFT
 Use blue or black pen. No pencil. No pink pens.
Essay Section
 Remember the basics:
ON TOPIC
CLEAR THESIS
(YOU WILL ALMOST ALWAYS WILL NEED TO
MENTION THEME/MAIN IDEA)
ORGANIZED
DEVELOPED (SO WHAT?)
LANGUAGE/STYLE
Final Tips
 Come rested and mentally alert. Do not spend time
cramming the night before: It will only stress you out.
 Write as legibly and neatly as you can. You do NOT
want to antagonize the AP readers with sloppy
penmanship, grammar, or spelling (these are not
technically part of the AP score, but you and I both
know a frustrated grader = a lower score)
 Know that you are well-prepared for the test if you
have done well in class. You are as capable of success
as any other high school student who is taking this test
right now!